Louisiana Medicare 2026
Medicare in Louisiana serves about 900,000 beneficiaries, with 53% enrolled in Medicare Advantage and the remainder on Original Medicare + Medigap. Average Medigap Plan G premium for a new 65-year-old enrollee: $129/mo. Stand-alone Part D plans average $43/mo.
Medicare Beneficiaries
900,000
Age 65+ and disabled
MA Enrollment
53%
% on Medicare Advantage
Avg Medigap Plan G
$129/mo
New enrollee, age 65
Louisiana Medicare Quick Facts (2026)
| Topic | Detail | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Medicare Advantage plans available (2026) | 117 plans | Statewide total — fewer available in your county (CMS) |
| Average MA premium (2026) | $13.35/mo | was $21.63/mo in 2025 (CMS) |
| $0-premium MA plans | Available | 100% of beneficiaries have $0-plan access (CMS) |
| Stand-alone Part D plans (2026) | 10 plans, lowest $0/mo | Adds drug coverage to Original Medicare (CMS) |
| Top MA carriers | Humana, UnitedHealthcare, Peoples Health Network (Wellcare) | Networks differ by county |
| Annual guaranteed-issue Medigap switching | No (one-time 6-month window at 65) | No state annual GI rights; New Orleans market has unique MA competition with Peoples Health Network, a Louisiana-focused insurer acquired by Wellcare. |
MA plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are CMS 2026 figures (state fact sheet); Medigap and top-carrier details are editorial estimates. The 2026 Part B premium is $202.90/month, Part B deductible $283, Part D out-of-pocket cap $2,100. Verify plans at medicare.gov.
Louisiana Medicare: Peoples Health's Local Edge and Storm-Resilient Coverage Needs
Louisiana's Medicare market features a notable local player: Peoples Health Network, now part of Wellcare/Centene, which built its reputation in the New Orleans metro area and maintains strong brand recognition and quality ratings among Louisiana seniors. Humana and UnitedHealthcare are the major national competitors. Ochsner Health System is Louisiana's dominant hospital network and a top-rated MA HMO anchor; Tulane Medical Center (HCA) and LCMC Health round out the New Orleans market. Baton Rouge's Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center and Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System serve the capital region.
Louisiana's healthcare environment is shaped by geography — the Gulf Coast exposure to hurricanes creates unique considerations for Medicare coverage continuity. CMS has issued special enrollment periods following major storms, and beneficiaries in coastal parishes should maintain awareness of hurricane-related coverage flexibility. The state has high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease, giving the Medigap value proposition particular relevance for those anticipating high healthcare utilization. At approximately $129/month, Plan G is affordable in Louisiana. The 6-month Medigap open enrollment window at 65 remains the primary switching protection, as Louisiana has no state-level annual guaranteed-issue rights.
What to Know About Medicare in Louisiana
Original Medicare + Medigap path
In Louisiana, traditional Medicare combined with a Medigap supplement (typically Plan G or N) plus a stand-alone Part D plan provides nationwide access with predictable costs. Plan G covers everything except the $283 Part B deductible.
Medicare Advantage path
Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans bundle Medicare Parts A, B, and usually D into one private plan, often with $0 premium beyond Part B. Trade-offs include network restrictions and prior authorization. 53% of Louisiana beneficiaries currently choose MA.
Medigap switching rights in your state
No state annual GI rights; New Orleans market has unique MA competition with Peoples Health Network, a Louisiana-focused insurer acquired by Wellcare.
Louisiana Pro Tip
Medicare FAQs — Louisiana
How many Medicare Advantage plans are available in Louisiana?
+
Louisiana beneficiaries in New Orleans and Baton Rouge typically have access to 45 or more Medicare Advantage plans. Shreveport and Lafayette metro areas generally offer 25 to 35 options. Coastal and rural parishes may have fewer options, particularly after provider network disruptions from hurricane activity.
What is the average Medigap Plan G premium in Louisiana?
+
The average Medigap Plan G premium for a 65-year-old in Louisiana is approximately $129 per month. Louisiana's affordable Medigap rates make it a competitive option, particularly for beneficiaries with chronic conditions who value the financial predictability of Medigap over the variable cost structure of Medicare Advantage.
Can I switch Medigap plans in Louisiana without medical underwriting?
+
Louisiana does not have a birthday rule or annual guaranteed-issue protections for Medigap switching. Outside of your initial 6-month open enrollment at 65 or a qualifying federal guaranteed-issue event (such as your MA plan leaving the service area), carriers can apply full medical underwriting. Coastal residents who survived hurricanes and experienced coverage disruptions may qualify for special enrollment periods from CMS.
Related Guides
Medicare Advantage plan counts, average premiums, and $0-premium availability are from CMS — 2026 Medicare Advantage & Part D State-by-State Fact Sheet (August 2026), cross-checked against KFF. Medigap Plan G and Part D averages are editorial estimates. See the full Louisiana Medicare plan landscape at /tools/medicare-plan-landscape/louisiana. Verify current plan costs at medicare.gov before enrolling.
Jennifer Walsh
Editorial Lead, Health & Medicare
This article was researched and written by the Cover Forge USA editorial team against federal sources (NAIC, CMS, FEMA, DOL, SSA, state DOIs) and standard policy forms. Bylines organize content by topic — they do not assert individual licensure. See our editorial-policy for details.
Reviewed August 2026
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